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A biography of a Special Forces soldier who battled the forces of Mugabe and Nkomo, earning a reputation as a military maestro. During the West's great transition into the post-colonial age, the country of Rhodesia refused to succumb quietly, and throughout the 1970s, fought back almost alone against Communist-supported elements that it did not believe would deliver proper governance. During this long war, many heroes emerged, but none more skillful and courageous than Capt. Darrell Watt of the Rhodesian SAS, who placed himself at the tip of the spear in the deadly battle to resist the forces of Robert Mugabe and Joshua Nkomo. It is difficult to find another soldier's story to equal Watt's in terms of time spent on the field of battle and challenges faced. Even by the lofty standards of the SAS and Special Forces, one has to look far to find anyone who can match his record of resilience and valor in the face of such daunting odds and with resources so paltry. A bush-lore genius, blessed with uncanny instincts and an unbridled determination, he had no peers as a combat-tracker'and there was plenty of competition. The Rhodesian theater was a fluid and volatile one, in which he performed in almost every imaginable fighting role: as an airborne shock-trooper leading camp attacks, long range reconnaissance operator, covert urban operator, sniper, saboteur, seek-and-strike expert, and, in the final stages, as a key figure in mobilizing an allied army in neighboring Mozambique. After twelve years in the cauldron of war, his cause slipped from beneath him, however, and Rhodesia gave way to Zimbabwe. When the guns went quiet, Watt had won all his battles but lost the war. In this fascinating biography we learn that in his later years, he turned to saving wildlife on a continent where animals are in continued danger, devoting himself to both the fauna and African people he has cared so deeply about

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Acknowledgments; Author's Note; A Brief History of Rhodesia; CHAPTER 1 Rebellion Darrell Watt The wind of change; CHAPTER 2 Formation of the SAS Harold Wilson and the Soviets The first farm attack Recruit Watt Robinson on SAS selection; CHAPTER 3 First blood The two-toed tribe Watt's first action Operation Cauldron Hadebe Into Mozambique Into Zambia Smith settles Mbuya Nehanda; CHAPTER 4 The end of the beginning Hawkesworth Macombe Andy Chait Rhodesians on top Coup in Portugal Détente Herbert Chitepo

CHAPTER 5 The Victoria Falls débâcle Exodus from the SAS Machipanda Life on the 'front' A 'Kiwi' entry The 'Winged Stagger'CHAPTER 6 Mozambique declares war Enter Henry Kissinger Water warriors; CHAPTER 7 Rude awakenings Renamo is born The south-east heats up Shooting the messenger OperationMardon Carter wins, Rhodesia loses Frustration Mine everything Walking on water; CHAPTER 8 Going for broke Do or die The attack Watt shot

CHAPTER 9 The madness continues Watt to Botswana Domestic problems Camp on the Zambezi Internal settlement Renamo rises Murder mostfoul Back to Tembué The stay-behind partyCHAPTER 10 Monkey business 'Tiny' Rowland Viscount Hunyani The deafening silence; CHAPTER 11 Chris Dixon Para attack Ambush; CHAPTER 12 Privateers Watt finds the killers Richard Stannard Innocents die Lights out; CHAPTER 13 Another Viscount downed Stannard back to Chimoio Recce on a ZIPRA camp Bishop Muzorewa wins power

CHAPTER 14 Combat tracking at speed More farmers murdered The 'Iron Lady' folds Scheepers back in the frayCHAPTER 15 Chopper down Yankee Section Operation Bumper Monte Xiluvo The Russians are coming; CHAPTER 16 A leader dies Life with Luke A mystery death at Lancaster House; CHAPTER 17 Bust the bridges A big surprise Time to say goodbye; CHAPTER 18 Ceasefire More attempts to kill Mugabe Walls folds The order that never came A farewell to arms; Appendix A The Unilateral Declaration of Independence; Appendix B 270SAS Roll of Honour; Endnotes; Bibliography

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